Troy-Bilt

How to Identify and Fix Common Gardening Problems ?

We provide a variety of viewpoints on how to identify and fix common gardening problems. Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced gardeners :

Why would the engine only run while the choke is on or with repeated manual priming? An engine that requires the choking (partial or full) after initial engine warm up is an indication that the engine fuel air mixture system is out of adjustment.
If the engine will idle but dies at full throttle the main jet in the carburetor may be plugged. You can repair a plugged main jet by cleaning it, replacing the jet, or replacing the carburetor. If you choose to clean or replace the main jet, you will also want to clean the rest of the carburetor.
A clogged carburetor is most commonly caused by leaving fuel in the lawn mower for a long period of time. Over time, some of the ingredients in the fuel may evaporate, leaving behind a thicker, stickier substance. This sticky fuel can clog up the carburetor and cause the engine to stall.
It will not damage the engine at all. All that will happen is that it will run richer, thus using more fuel. If you did it for thousands of miles you`d probably end up with more deposits in the engine/exhaust, but even that is easy to sort.
Why Does Your Lawn Mower Only Run With Choke On? Your lawn mower only runs with choke on because of a problem with the engine fuel-air mixture system, which can be caused by the carburetor, bad fuel, or air leaks. The choke compels more fuel in the combustion chamber to help the engine to turn over when cold.
By far, the most common issue that causes a stalled motor is a dirty carburetor. The carburetor on your engine is the thing that draws in air and mixes it with the fuel. Contrary to what the movies might make you think, gasoline itself is not very flammable.
A full gas tank and oil reservoir are the essential first steps when checking why the lawn mower won`t stay running, but the problem could also be a dirty filter, clogged carburetor, improper fuel mixture, or a dirty spark plug.
Loose, Dirty or Disconnected Spark Plug in Your Lawn Mower: Check it out, clean off debris, re-connect and tighten. Dirty Air Filter: Clean or replace. Fuel Not Reaching the Engine: Tap the side of the carburetor to help the flow of gas. If this doesn`t work, you might need a new fuel filter.
Your lawn mower runs for 30 minutes then dies if you are having issues such as a bad spark plug, air problems, a malfunctioning carburetor, or a faulty gas cap. You may even encounter the issue that your lawn mower runs for 5 minutes then dies.
Once the engine is in use, and naturally warms up, the choke valve can be closed, to reduce additional fuel being used.
It absolutely does use more fuel. What the choke does is creates a restriction in the carburetor, which in turn creates a higher vacuum so the engine will draw more fuel when it is cold. This is called fuel enrichment.
Turn on the ignition of your car. Once the engine is warm, you can remove the air filter and check whether the choke is open or closed. At this point, the choke should be open to allow the engine to breathe fully.
It absolutely does use more fuel. What the choke does is creates a restriction in the carburetor, which in turn creates a higher vacuum so the engine will draw more fuel when it is cold. This is called fuel enrichment.

Discover Relevant Questions and Answers for Your Specific Issue

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Will only start and run in choked position, when throttle applied chokes out. If started with out choke and throttle position in low speed will start and run for 10 sec then like it runs out of gas.
ANSWER : I have your solution guaranteed, I fixed mine yesturday remove H L screw plastic caps and on high 11 threads exposed and on the low side 8 threads exposed. removing the plastic caps allows u further adjusting these wear out or move soo just take them things off and you will be rolling

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Have to run on half choke,just stops if i turn it off.fuel is 25 to 1. thanks alan.
ANSWER : More than likely a small passage way in the carb is clogged. You can try some carb cleaner, but you may need to disassemble the carb and clean it out. Be advised that these passageways are sometimes as fine as a human hair, and almost impossible to clear sometimes. A new carb may be required if it is worth it to you. Sorry.

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Starts right up on choke. then run inrun position for a minute and have to go back to choke to keep it running ,then it runs fine for a couple of minutes and have to go back to choke and start all over again.
ANSWER : This happens with the cover off, so not the filter.

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The engine surges at idle and then does not run constantly underpressure. sounds like fuel but cleaned all lines and used new fuel. any suggestions
ANSWER : A new spark plug and don,t forget to push in the choke after start.

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While running what setting does the choke lever need to be placed in
ANSWER : Depending on how your unit runs, it may need to be on half choke until the motor warms up. After the motor gets hot it should run with the choke fully off.

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My mantis will not stay running unless the choke is full on
ANSWER : Sounds like the fuel pump diaphram in the carb. you need to either be familar with it or take it to thae shop to replace

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Can get it to start, but runs about three seconds and stops. the choke is pushed in. But seems to want to run longer with the choke out. 4 seconds…
ANSWER : Its the old problem,,,,,,,short of fule, or no fule getting to the carb,,,,, clean out the tank filters and then clean out the carb and all the jets in it as well put in fresh fule and then it will run all day and with out the choke being on,,, thats a lot longer than 4 seconds!

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Seems to start easily run for a few minutes and then slow and stop–bulb remains full –gas is good–have tried half choke in case too lean–did not solve–also seems possibly related to the angle I hold it at–seems to cut out quicker if blower tube angled more downward.
ANSWER : Your filter may be hanging up in the tank. you also my be losing compression

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